ramsay



GEORGE M. RAMSAY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y..

CAST-IRON PAVEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 15,776, dated September 23, 1856.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEO. M. RAMSAY, of

`the city, county, and State of New York,

have invented a new, useful, and Improved Pavement, and that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the constructionand operation of the same, the nature of which is an iron pavementconstructed so as to be Hexible and equally self-supporting in alldirections and free from the usual dust, mud, ice, and snow and so as topermit of free access at all times to the sewer, water, and gas pipes,without disturbing the pavement, all of which is fully set forth in thefollowing specification, drawings and letters of reference markedthereon, making part of the same, wherein- Figure l is a top view andFig. 9. a perpendicular section.

Like figures refer to like parts.

A shows an iron arch formed by hexagon paves, (or their equivalents)containing a foot superficial more or less, and is pierced with holes(without regard to size or number, except that the half or near the halfof the area should be consumed with holes) and is cast in shape like asix legged stool, the length and width of the legs being determined bythe length or width of the span and when n situ each pave is united toand supported by six others, while three of the corners or legs of everythree paves meet at each of their six corners, around which and uponwhich I run or slip a strong cast or wrought iron ring (or theirequivalents) and secure the same in any convenient manner, whereby thelegs are prevented from spreading or separating in any direction,

`sufficient to admit a horse and truck.

and by which means the arch (forming the pavement) is prevented fromeither sinking,

rising, spreading or stretching and thus a lateral, diagonal,longitudinal and perpendicular support is obtained from all directionsand is equally flexible in all directions. Underneath this arch, Iexcavate an opening The sides D, D, of this space is made to incline tothe center, in order that all filth that passes through the holes inthe. paves may readily wash into the sewer E. This space also permits afree access at all times to the sewer E, water and gas pipes F withoutdisturbing the street or travel. One or more arches may be used inspanning a street and the ends B and C may be supported in anyconvenient manner.

I am aware that cast-iron voussoirs have been made into an arch forbridges and other purposes and that the bond of connection between hasbeen effect-ed by means of lugs on the voussoirs, and wrought iron clipsor bands passing over the lugs of the adjoining voussoirs. I thereforewish to be distinctly understood as not claiming broadly this mode ofconstruction of cast-iron blocks by means of lugs and clips; but

that I claim as my invention is,

`The iron hexagonal paving blocks with legs or lugs below as describedwhen united and secured by the iron-clips or bands so as to formflexible pavement as described.

GEO. M. RAMSAY.

l/Vitnesses T. PHILPo'r, J Dix WILKES.

